Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 395

397

“Beomseok, Amelie, Prishka, come over here.”

“What’s going on?”

Zackeed addressed Beomseok as he approached.

“Even though we’re competing, we’re still the world’s best gladiators, right?”

“Yes, of course. But what about it?”

“Well, the thing is, even for us, the odds of winning against 100 amateur gladiators aren’t very high, are they?”

Beomseok, Amelie, and Prishka nodded in unison. As he pointed out, their chances of winning against 100 amateur gladiators simultaneously were slim. Moreover, they had to be wary of each other for the sake of the competition, but it was likely the amateurs would band together and attack. A crushing defeat seemed inevitable.

“That’s right.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem. Even if we fight together, the chances of winning aren’t great, so there’s no point in fighting while holding back. Of course, it would be nice to win today’s match individually. But we are representatives of professional gladiators. We need to show the viewers a performance worthy of that title.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So, this time, instead of focusing on individual scores, I hope we can fight together for the win. If we unite, we won’t be easily defeated. What do you say? Want to join forces?”

Because it was a persuasive argument, Beomseok readily agreed. Unlike before, there was now a compelling reason to cooperate. Zackeed, currently in last place, was the one suggesting it, so there was no reason to refuse.

“Okay, let’s join forces.”

Beomseok glanced at Amelie and Prishka, who also nodded. They agreed with Zackeed’s assessment.

“Yes, we’ll follow your lead.”

“Good. Then I’ll give the orders, so please follow them. First, Amelie, bring out the twin whips this time. It might be a disadvantage in individual combat, but we’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Amelie readily agreed. If someone could intercept the opponent’s sudden attacks, the twin whips would be very effective in this fight. The barrier created by the whips could not only block advances but also gradually reduce the number of opponents through long-range attacks.

“And Beomseok and Prishka, block anyone who breaks through Amelie’s whips and tries to charge in.”

It was a logical step, and Beomseok readily agreed. If Amelie fell, they would have to face nearly 100 amateur gladiators at once. Her protection was essential.

“Yes, I understand. Then what will you do, Zackeed?”

“Of course, I have to cover the rear. It’ll be a headache if some free agents bypass us and attack from behind.”

“Okay, let’s do that then.”

After a brief strategy session, they donned their suits and armed themselves with their respective weapons, taking their positions in the center of the stadium. The amateur gladiators were already forming a battle line on the opposite side.

With a tense expression, Beomseok gripped his spear tightly and watched Karen, who stood in the center. Once she signaled and stepped back, the amateur gladiators’ onslaught would begin.

“Okay, are both teams of gladiators ready!”

“Yes!”

Karen, hearing the energetic response from the amateur gladiators, slowly retreated. Her position was in the middle of the battlefield, and remaining there after the match started could result in serious injury.

Soon, Karen, now at a safe distance, waved her hand to signal the start of the game.

“Okay, then start the game!”

“Waaaaa!”

At the same moment, the amateur gladiators roared and charged forward. They were assembled from various amateur teams and lacked organization, but the sheer momentum of 100 people was formidable. Amelie immediately sent her whips swirling into the air, carving deep furrows into the ground before them.

The amateur gladiators, momentarily obscured by the rising dust, hesitated and slowed their charge. They were intimidated by the powerful whip attack. Then, a loud voice boomed from within the group.

“Don’t be afraid! There are 100 of us! We can’t lose!”

The amateur gladiators, emboldened by the words, regained their momentum and resumed their charge. No matter how strong the world’s best gladiators were, it was impossible for 100 people to lose.

The whirlwind of whips continued. An elf in a brown suit, caught in a powerful sweeping attack, was flung into the air and slammed into the ground.

“Amelie, well done.”

Beomseok, barely pausing to offer a compliment, drew a throwing knife from his waist and hurled it towards the enemy formation. He had spotted a gladiator in a silver suit breaking through Amelie’s whip barrier. The throwing knife flew with a sharp hiss, striking the opponent squarely in the chest and sending him sprawling.

‘Damn it. This is driving me crazy!’

He had already taken down two gladiators, but Beomseok’s expression was grim. Some of the amateur gladiators were drawing bows and separating from the main group.

A hail of arrows could quickly turn the tide. Everyone instinctively clustered around Prishka, who wielded a long sword and carried a large shield specifically for this type of situation.

“Prishka! Protect Amelie at all costs!”

Beomseok, seeing about 20 arrows launched in their direction, sprinted forward. No matter how large the shield, it couldn’t provide complete cover. It was best to intercept the arrows before they reached their target.

Hearing the sound of arrows bouncing off the shield behind him, he swung his spear in a wide arc at the vanguard of the amateur gladiators.

“It’s Gladiator Oh Beomseok! Let’s take him down together!”

Beomseok gritted his teeth and sidestepped. At least a dozen people were rushing him, and he couldn’t afford to face them head-on. Besides, his real objective was not them, but the archers who threatened the stability of their main line. With a burst of speed, he charged towards the archers who were still raining arrows down on Amelie.

“This is the end! No more arrows for you!”

The archers, seeing Beomseok’s reckless charge, hastily dropped their bows and reached for the swords at their waists. With so many allies behind them, they couldn’t continue firing arrows. But Beomseok’s speed gave them no time to draw their weapons. He was upon them, swinging his spear as he leaped.

Swoosh. Pow!

Several amateur gladiators, struck by the tip of the wildly swinging spear, collapsed, incapacitated. Although a significant number of archers remained, Beomseok quickly retreated. He knew that the moment he stopped, he would be swarmed by a horde of gladiators.

‘Whew~ The dogpile strategy is scary after all.’

Beomseok, still running, clicked his tongue. His reputation as one of the world’s best was crumbling in the face of 100 gladiators. Fortunately, his speed allowed him to escape, but otherwise, he would have been defeated long ago.

Reaching the edge of the stadium, he abruptly turned and sprinted back towards their main position. Since the battle was confined to the stadium, leaving the area would result in immediate disqualification.

“Block him! We have to catch Beomseok!”

Gladiators with swords and shields moved to intercept him. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, he dodged again, veering to the side. Being completely surrounded meant certain defeat.

‘Damn it! Are we all going down like this!’

Beomseok glanced at their main position, commanded by Zackeed, and his eyes widened. They were also retreating, unable to hold their ground. Amelie was using her whip to slow the enemy advance, but her efforts seemed to be reaching their limit. Soon after, they too abandoned their position and began to flee, just like Beomseok.

“Hahaha. These invited guests are having a very hard time, despite being known as the strongest. At this rate, the game will be over soon.”

Beomseok, overhearing Karen’s comment as he ran past, shouted angrily. Not just the strongest, but even the strongest grandfather would be running in this situation. Even Lu Bu [a legendary Chinese general and warrior known for his unparalleled martial prowess], the God of War himself, would be busy running for his life.

“Karen! How can you say that! 100 people is too many!”

“Hahaha. I’m sorry! There were so many applicants, I couldn’t help it!”

Beomseok, frowning, saw two amateur gladiators blocking his path again and planted the tip of his spear on the ground. Using the flexibility of the bending spear shaft, he vaulted over their heads. He could handle two opponents, but doing so would leave him vulnerable to the 20 or so gladiators chasing him.

He changed course again, heading towards the main camp. They were also being pursued by gladiators several times their number, but it was still better than being alone. Perhaps because Beomseok had no comrades to rely on, he was subtly lonely.

‘It would be reassuring if Zackeed or Amelie were by my side. If about two people block like before, I can knock them down right away without having to evade and reduce the number. Then, if I’m lucky, I can win this game.’

But this was just Beomseok’s wishful thinking. No matter how amateur the opposing gladiators were, they weren’t fools.

They had been playing gladiator games for years or decades, and they knew how to fight effectively. They were now forming groups of ten and spreading out across the stadium.

They were employing a strategy of hunting down individuals. If things continued this way, they would be cornered and defeated.

Just then, Beomseok witnessed a strange sight. Zackeed, who had been following Amelie as if protecting her, was slowly moving closer to her back. Then, he deliberately tripped her.

“Kyaaaa!”

Amelie screamed and tumbled to the ground. The opposing gladiators, seizing the opportunity, swarmed her and attacked with their swords. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn’t withstand dozens of gladiators while prone. Moreover, her whip was ineffective in close combat.

‘Damn it! I was tricked by Zackeed!’

Zackeed was now casually cutting down the backs of the amateur gladiators who had surrounded Amelie, pretending to rescue her. He only managed to take down three or four with his surprise attack, but it was enough to propel him to 3rd place, surpassing Prishka.

Beomseok, realizing that Zackeed had never intended to cooperate, was furious. He had seen Zackeed deliberately trip Amelie, and he considered it a betrayal.

Spotting a gladiator approaching him, Beomseok vaulted over the opponent’s head again. He could have dodged to the left, but his sole purpose now was to punish Zackeed. He would rather self-destruct than let Zackeed take 1st place.

“Bloody revenge on the traitor! Zackeed, be prepared!”

Zackeed, hearing Beomseok’s cry, shouted in surprise.

“Be, betrayal? What are you talking about!”

“Do you think I didn’t see it! You deliberately tripped Amelie! I can never forgive you!”

“Th, that’s a misunderstanding! It was an accident!”

“Do you think I’m blind! Do you think I can’t tell the difference between an accident and intention!”

Zackeed gritted his teeth. His plan had been exposed too soon. Knowing Beomseok’s fiery temper, he would undoubtedly charge in without hesitation. At this rate, they would likely both be eliminated. If the amateur gladiators surrounded them while he was defending himself, the game would be over.

“Beomseok! I’ll give you 1st place. Let’s fight together. Humans should help each other.”

That was out of the question. A person who betrays once will eventually stab you in the back. It was better to be eliminated now than to be attacked later. Using his momentum, he swung his spear at Zackeed.

“The price of betrayal is punishment! Help each other? Don’t be ridiculous!”

Zackeed, deflecting the spear with his sword, quickly dodged to the side and said.

“Are you really going to do this!”

“Zackeed started it first!”

Beomseok, following closely, drove him to the left. That direction led to a corner, where he would be trapped. He would be attacked as well, but Zackeed would be finished too.

Eventually, Beomseok, surrounded by amateur gladiators, swung his spear at Zackeed again.

“We caught Beomseok and Zackeed. Everyone come here!”

Most of the amateur gladiators who heard the call rushed towards them. Although Prishka was still active, defeating these two would practically guarantee their victory.

They couldn’t possibly face the remaining 100 or so gladiators alone. Soon, Beomseok and Zackeed, preoccupied with fighting each other, were unable to defend themselves and were overwhelmed, falling to the ground in a miserable state.

‘Good. Now is my chance. If I play my cards right, I might be able to get 1st place!’

While Beomseok and Zackeed were being attacked, Prishka grabbed a bow and arrows lying nearby and began firing at the amateur gladiators. A few were chasing her, forcing her to run and shoot, but with dozens of people clustered together with their backs turned, it was easy to hit her targets.

In the end, she emptied her quiver, taking down about 10 amateur gladiators. After eliminating three more who were pursuing her, she was heroically defeated.

As a result, the final standings for today’s game were: Prishka in 1st place with 13 points, Amelie in 2nd place with 11 points, and Beomseok in 3rd place with 7 points. Zackeed finished in last place with only 4 points.

============================ Author’s Afterword ============================

Ah. The break episode ends here. From now on, it seems that the full-fledged World League game will unfold again.

Then everyone have a nice weekend. I’ll see you again tomorrow.